May 2002

Purpose of the College of Education:

The purposes of the College of Education include: I) research contributing to the body of knowledge upon which programs of the College are based, 2) instruction in undergraduate, graduate, continuing professional development, and related programs, 3) promoting and facilitating the use of knowledge to improve schools, colleges and other institutions that enhance learning, and 4) service to the educational community and to the public.

Purpose of the Plan of Organization:

The organization of the College is complex in that it includes an academic organization as well as a management system. The purpose of the present plan is to provide collaborative planning in the systematic decision-making process as it relates to academic decisions and management. Inherent in the purpose is the responsibility for maintaining channels of communication shared by the faculty , staff, and students.

CHAPTER I: THE COLLEGE ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE I: Purpose and Functions:

Section I. Purpose

The purpose of the University of Maryland (UMCP) College of Education Assembly (CEA) shall be to provide a means for faculty , staff, and students to: fulfill their responsibilities in carrying out the mission of the College, promote the general welfare, and achieve high standards of teaching, research, and service.

Section 2.

The functions of the College of Education Assembly shall include the following:

1. to provide regularly for the collective expression of faculty , staff, and student concerns and viewpoints;
2. to provide for full communication among the faculty , staff, and students of the College and the university community;
3. to promote collaborative efforts in areas relating to the purpose of the College of Education;
4. to formulate instruments, policies, and procedures relevant to governance;
5. to act as the referendum body for the College of Education;
6. to participate in activities relating to the organization and management of the College and its administrative units.

ARTICLE II: Membership

The membership of the College of Education Assembly shall be determined by appointment papers according to the following guidelines:

Faculty: Defined as all those employed by the State full time with the University of Maryland at College Park as instructors or as tenure track faculty who hold the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor with an appointment of at least 50% in the College of Education. All such persons shall be voting members of the CEA.

Staff: Will be defined as all other employees who are currently appointed and employed by the College of Education for greater than 50% time, who do not need to be reappointed every year (those with AS # or job study #, e.g., non-contractual associate staff, classified employees on state lines). Also included shall be persons that have been employed greater than 50% time on temporary (e.g., contractual positions) by the College of Education for a continuous period of more than 5 years. All such eligible members may attend the meetings of the College of Education Assembly and shall have rights to speak at such meetings. All other persons employed by the College may speak at the College of Education Assembly meetings. Twelve staff members with voting privileges will be identified at College wide elections using the Hare system. At most 2 of these voting members shall be part time (i.e., less than 100%) employees. If the number of faculty in the College changes, the number of staff will be changed so that the ratio of staff to faculty will round to 1 to 10, with at most 1/6th part-time.

Students: Defined as all undergraduate students enrolled full time (as defined by the office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies) in a program of the College of Education and all graduate students enrolled at least 50% of full time (as defined by the office of the Dean of Graduate Studies) in a program of the College of Education. All such members may attend the meetings of the College of Education Assembly and shall have the right to speak at such meetings. Students with voting privileges will be identified at elections: One such graduate student will be elected by and from each department to be a voting member of the College of Education Assembly. Six such undergraduate students shall be elected by undergraduates in at-Large elections (using the Hare system) to be voting members of the College of Education Assembly. Elections shall be conducted so that each department having an undergraduate program shall have at least one representative. These numbers have been selected to represent approximately 10 % of the number of faculty members in the College of Education Assembly apportioned at approximately 5% undergraduate and 5% graduate. If the number of faculty in the College changes the number of students will be changed so that the ratio of students to faculty will be an even number that rounds to 1 to 10, with half being undergraduate and half being graduate students.

Elections specified in this Plan shall take place in the Spring of each year timed to be completed no later than April 30. Voting for representatives from each of the constituencies above shall be by members of that category only. For purposes of the Governance of the College a person may be in only one category .The term of service shall begin May 1st.

ARTICLE III: Officers

Section 1. Designations

The officers of the College of Education Assembly of the College of Education shall consist of a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. These officers also shall hold the respective positions of Chair, Chair-elect, and Secretary of the College of Education Senate.

The position of Chair-elect shall be selected from the membership of the faculty of the College of Education Assembly, by the voting members of the Assembly. This person will serve as Chair-elect for one year and as Chair of the College of Education Assembly for the subsequent year. The election of Chair-elect by the College of Education Assembly membership shall be held in the spring of each year .Procedures and supervision of nominations and elections shall be established and maintained by the College of Education Senate. The election for Chair-elect will require a simple majority vote of those voting which, if not attained by anyone candidate, will require a run-off election between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes.

The position of Secretary shall be selected from the membership of the College of Education Senate. This election shall be held annually at the first meeting of the College of Education Senate scheduled for this purpose after the spring election of Chair-elect and delegates to the College of Education Senate but prior to the last regular monthly meeting of the College of Education Senate in May. Only delegates who are newly elected or continuing may vote at the special meeting and all such delegates must have been informed at least one week in advance of its time and place. The meeting shall be chaired by the incoming Chair. The term of office shall begin immediately.

Section 2. Vacancies

In the event of vacancies in the offices of Chair, Chair-elect, or Secretary , the College of Education Senate shall hold a special election at its first meeting following the notice of vacancy.

Section 3. Duties

ARTICLE IV: Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the College of Education Assembly shall be held during the Fall Semester on a date set by the Steering Committee. The agenda for the Annual Meeting shall be distributed to the faculty , staff and students at least two weeks prior to the meeting. A quorum for the Annual Meeting shall be forty percent of the membership with voting privileges. All annual meetings of the College of Education Assembly shall be open.

Section 2, Special Meetings

Twenty percent of the voting members of the College of Education Assembly may petition for a special meeting of the Assembly. The petitioners shall present with their petition a proposed agenda for the meeting, which shall be the only order of business at the meeting. Announcements of the time and place and of the agenda shall be made at least two weeks in advance. All special meetings shall be open.

A special meeting may also be called by a majority vote of the College of Education Senate with an announcement of the agenda and time and place published two weeks prior to the special meeting. Exception to the notice requirement shall be made only in an emergency, as determined by the Chair, for which a three-hour notice shall be given stating time, place, and purpose.

A quorum for a special meeting shall be fifty percent of the membership with voting privileges.

ARTICLE V: College of Education Senate

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of the College of Education Senate shall be to take action on behalf of the faculty , staff, and students in all matters pertaining to governance within the College in fulfilling its stated responsibilities.

Section 2. Delegates

The College of Education Senate consists of delegates from the College of Education Assembly as specified below:

Faculty: Two delegates from each department, plus four delegates-at-large

--plus the offices of Chair and Chair-elect

Staff: One classified person and one non-classified person elected at large

Students: One graduate student and one undergraduate student elected at large

Only departments with a plan of organization that is approved or pending approval by the College of Education Senate shall have representation.

The faculty of each department holding membership in the College of Education Assembly shall elect one delegate to the College of Education Senate each year .The term of office shall be for two calendar years, beginning with the meeting of the College of Education Senate scheduled annually in the Spring. When a member is unable to attend meetings for a prolonged period (e.g., leave of absence, sabbatical, prolonged illness), the department may recommend the appointment for a specified time period of a substitute with voting privileges.

Delegates-at-large shall be elected in the Spring of each year, following procedures for nomination and election. Procedures and supervision should be established and maintained by the College of Education Senate; the Hare System shall be used to obviate run-offs. The term of office shall be for two calendar years, beginning with the meeting of the College of Education Senate scheduled annually in the Spring for election of the Secretary and Steering Committee members of the College of Education Assembly. When an at-large member is unable to attend meetings for a prolonged period, the College of Education Senate Steering Committee shall designate, for a specific time period, a substitute with voting privileges. An election shall be held during this period.

The staff delegates shall also serve for 2 years, elected in alternate years.

The student delegates shall serve for 1 year, and may stand for reelection only once.

Section 3 Functions

The College of Education Assembly entrusts to the College of Education Senate responsibility to:

a) interpret and implement the purposes and functions of the Assembly;

b) establish standing and ad hoc committees to carry out responsibilities as needed;

c) receive and act upon reports of committees;

d) report its actions, policy proposals, and recommendations to the Assembly;

e) communicate faculty , staff, and student points of view;

f) approve agenda;

g) receive and consider, and refer appeals and grievances;

h) review and approve department plans of organization;

i) perform other functions as approved by the Assembly;

j) advise the Dean on membership to committees that he/she establishes

Section 4. Meetings

Regular meetings of the College of Education Senate shall be held during the Academic Year . Date, time, and place shall be decided upon by a majority of the membership. A quorum shall consist of a majority of its members. A substitute for an absent member with a written authorization from that absent member shall be permitted to participate fully as a voting member in such meetings. Meetings shall be open to all voting members of the College of Education Assembly.

Section 5: Steering and Faculty Advisory Committees

The purpose of the full Steering Committee is to propose the agenda for meetings of the College of Education Senate and the Assembly, to direct the business of the body to appropriate committees and through administrative channels of the College and University , and to advise and assist the Chair in carrying out responsibilities of the College of Education Assembly and College of Education Senate. The Steering Committee functions as committee on committees, and makes recommendations concerning committee membership to appropriate individuals or governing bodies. Agenda items may come from within the Steering Committee, from the Dean, or from other interested parties. The Steering Committee is comprised of College of Education Senate members elected by the Senate as a whole. Committee shall be composed of the Chair, Chair-elect, and secretary of the Senate, a staff representative, a student representative and three additional faculty members elected to assure faculty representation from each Department. Forty percent of the Steering Committee constitutes a quorum.

The Faculty of the Steering Committee shall constitute a Faculty Advisory Committee to provide advice to the Dean and other administrators of the College, Campus and System where appropriate.

Section 6. Standing , Joint, and Ad Hoc Committees

The College of Education Senate is authorized to establish three types of committees to conduct business and to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them by the College of Education Assembly: Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees and Joint Committees of the Senate and Dean’s office. The Standing Joint Committees are established in areas where responsibility and accountability is shared between the Dean’s office and the College Senate. The purpose, procedures, and status as a Standing senate or Joint or Ad Hoc committee shall be established with each committee's creation. Joint Committees report both to the Senate and to the Dean’s office and receive necessary support from the Dean’s office to pursue their mission. The documents specifying such establishment will be circulated to the voting members of the full College of Education Assembly. Specific procedures to establish or to eliminate Standing Joint or Sentate as well as Ad Hoc Committees may be specified in the By-Laws of the College. Senate committees shall operate within the stipulations indicated in the By-Laws.

Section 7. Committee Chair and Members

The Chair and members of each committee shall be appointed by the Chair of the College of Education Assembly with advice of the Steering Committee and the consent of the College of Education Senate with stipulations indicated below. The Chair and Steering Committee shall act as a Committee of Committees with respect to the nomination of membership to all committees that are a part of the College of Education and come under the direct responsibility of the Senate, as appropriate. Additional regulations with regard to membership and the Committee Chair may be specified in the By-laws of the College.

The composition of each committee shall be established by the College of Education Senate at the time of creation of the committee.

The Chair of the College of Education Senate shall be an ex officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees established by the College of Education Senate.

1. All committee Chairs shall perform the duties prescribed in parliamentary authority in addition to those assigned by the College of Education Senate.

 

2. All vacating committee Chairs shall deliver to the Secretary all official material not later than ten days following appointment of their successors or the completion of their duties.

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ARTICLE VI: College At-Large Campus Senate Members

Section 1. Eligibility

All persons who are faculty members of the College of Education Assembly, as specified in ART. II, shall be eligible to be elected as College at-Large faculty members of the Campus Senate.

Section 2. Nominations and Elections

In any year in which a College at-Large faculty representative to the Campus Senate is to be elected, the Secretary of the College Senate, or the Secretary's designee, shall issue a call for nominations. Nominations may come from any faculty member of the College of Education Assembly; however, the nominator must obtain the written consent of the nominee. If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies, an election shall be held by secret ballot mailed to the office address of each faculty member of the College of Education Assembly. The Steering Committee of the College Senate shall serve as judge of the election and shall certify results to the Campus Senate.

Section 3. Vacancies.

Recommendations to fill vacancies in any term of office of a College at-large representative to the Campus Senate shall be made by the Chair of the College Senate with the advice and consent of the College Senate to the Campus Senate Executive Committee.

CHAPTER II: ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE I: Purpose and Functions

Section 1. Purpose and Functions

The College Administration shall provide leadership, supervision, and coordination of all educational programs. Its functions shall include, but not be limited to, providing leadership in:

d) the facilitation of excellence in teaching and other academic pursuits of faculty, staff, and students;

e) the development of effective educational service to the University, State, and profession.

f) improving the quality of education and human services in the state of Maryland and the nation

ARTICLE II: Dean and Central Staff

Section 1. Designations

The chief administrator of the College is the Dean, who shall have central staff composed of Associate and Assistant deans, assistants to the Dean, and authorized support personnel.

Section 2. Appointments

Recommendations for the appointment of the Dean shall be made by an ad hoc search and screening committee. The committee size and composition shall be determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The College Senate shall encourage the Provost to insure that a majority of committee members shall be tenure-track faculty members from the College of Education elected by the faculty of the College Senate. All tenure-track faculty members in the College shall be eligible for such election, providing that the composition of the committee does not include more than one faculty member from the same department.

Assistants to the Dean and all supporting personnel shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the appropriate administrative officer, e.g., the Dean, Associate Dean or Assistant Dean, etc.

Section 3. Consultation with Senate

The Dean is expected to meet with the College Senate on a regular basis in an effort to secure advice with regard to policy and practice of the College. The Dean may request that the Steering Committee place on the agenda of the Senate such items as are seen fit. The Steering Committee shall make every effort to grant such requests.

ARTICLE III: Administrative Units of the College

Section I. Scope and Mission of Department

A department of the College shall consist of a group of faculty members with common or closely related disciplinary or mission-oriented interests. All faculty members or groups of faculty offering courses and programs in the College shall be members of at least one department. The immediate government of the department is vested in its departmental faculty , staff, and students as specified by the Plan of Organization of that department, which has jurisdiction over the interests of the department, including authority to determine all questions of departmental educational policy. Actions and policies which affect more than one department are subject to review and approval by the College of Education Senate.

Section 2. Department Membership

All faculty who are eligible to be voting members of the College of Education Assembly shall have the right to vote and participate in their respective departmental meetings. The department Plan of Organization shall specify which and under what conditions student and staff members shall enjoy the rights of participation and voting in departmental meetings.

Section 3. Department Administration

The chief administrative office of a department is the Chair, whose appointment shall be recommended to the Dean by a committee composed of and elected by the department faculty , plus two faculty members from other departments of the College appointed by the College of Education Senate. The Chairs of the departments of the College shall meet with the Dean, the Chair of the College of Education Assembly, and whomever else the Dean specifies. This group shall follow an agenda as set by the Dean, in consultation with its members. Regular minutes of these meetings shall be published.

Each department Plan of Organization and its actual operationalization shall be reviewed by the College of Education Senate to ensure appropriate participation in departmental matters every 5 years, or sooner if so requested by 25% of either the faculty , staff, or students who are members of the department.

Section 4. Grievances

Grievances concerning conditions of personal and/ or professional welfare within departments shall be handled in accordance with a set of procedures applicable to all departments as established by the College of Education Senate. In the absence of special procedures, the College shall conform with those established by the Campus Senate or other relevant bodies of the Campus.

Organizations in the College whose primary mission are other than offering credit courses shall be known as Special Administrative Units. They shall serve specific purposes established by the dean with advice of the College of Education Senate.

CHAPTER III : STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE

ENABLING ACTION

Responsibility for creating a student organization for each department rests with the students and faculty of that department. Responsibility for creating an all-College student organization rests with the departmental student organizations. Aspects of student participation shall be established at an appropriate time after the creation of the student organization. Students are invited to communicate directly with the College of Education Assembly, Senate, and Committees that may be specified in the By-laws.

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the College of Education Assembly in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with the Plan of Organization.

ARTICLE I: Amendments

Amendments to the Plan of Organization may be proposed at any meeting of the College of Education Assembly during the academic year .Upon approval of the amendment by a majority of those eligible to vote and voting, any proposed amendment shall be submitted by mail to all members of the College of Education Assembly eligible to vote within ten class days. An affirmative vote within two weeks of mailing by two-thirds of those voting shall constitute adoption.

ARTICLE II: Plan of Organization Review

This Plan of Organization, accompanying By-Laws, and Plans of the departments shall be reviewed at least every fifth year by an ad hoc committee appointed by the College of Education Senate. The first such review is to occur five years from the date of adoption of the Plan by the College of Education.

The requirements for adopting a revision of the Plan of Organization shall be the same as those for adopting an amendment to the Plan of Organization as described in Chapter VI, Article I.

ARTICLE IV: Ratification

Adoption of a new Plan shall go into effect in the Spring following ratification. All procedures specified in the newly adopted Plan and By-Laws shall be in force. This includes, for example, elections to take place in accordance with the new rules as approved.

Implementation of the new Plan and By-laws shall be facilitated by the Steering Committee of the Senate and those additional persons invited by the Steering Committee to assist.

CHAPTER VI: BY-LAWS

The College of Education Assembly shall have the power to organize its constituents and to make By-Laws and regulations for its own proceedings so long as those By-Laws do not contravene the statutes of the University , the Powers of the Board of Regents, the powers delegated to the Chancellor and to the President, and this Plan of Organization.

Article I: Amendments

Amendments to the College of Education Assembly's By-laws shall be presented in writing to the Senate members ten working days in advance of any regular meeting and shall require approval by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Senate present and voting.

CHAPTER VII : RECALL and MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Recall

Officers of the College of Education Assembly and other elected or appointed persons covered by

this Plan of Organization are subject to recall by the body which elected or appointed them.

Section 2. Annual Roster of Committees

At the outset of each school year, a list of persons serving on the Committees and the Senate (in addition to other College committees) is to be made available to faculty, staff, and students throughout the College. Faculty, staff, and students should consult their department Chair, unit director, or the Dean's office for a copy of the current membership list. Responsibility for

preparation of this list is held by the Chair of the College of Education Assembly in cooperation with the Dean's office.

By-Laws of the College of Education

This set of By-Laws to the Plan of Organization of the College of Education was established by College of Education Senate during the 2001-2002 academic year pursuant to its authority to establish Standing and Ad Hoc committees of the Senate or Joint with the Dean’s Office.

1. FACULTY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Faculty Development Committee (FDC) is a Standing Joint Committee of the College of Education Senate and the Office of the Dean. The role and function of the FDC is to initiate and provide support for faculty development at the College level. The FDC acts in support of faculty and Department development activities, but does not seek to duplicate these efforts. Rather, the FDC seeks to provide unique and supportive activities and opportunities for faculty development at the College level. The FDC also serves as an advisory committee to the Senate and the Dean in the area of faculty development.

Constitution:

1.Membership. The membership of the FDC shall consist of: 1.Five faculty members, preferably one from each Department. If possible, at least one Departmental member shall be a Department Chair. The Chair of the FDC shall be a faculty member, and shall be the representative for his/her Department. 2. the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, and 3. The chair of the COE Senate or his or her designee. All members of the COE shall be tenured faculty who are active and productive in scholarship and who are effective teachers. Members are appointed by consensus of the Dean and COE Senate Chair, with input from the Associate Dean and FDC members.

2. Terms. Members, including the Chair, shall serve terms of two years, and can be re-appointed. Membership terms can be staggered so that new and returning members are present each year.

3. Responsibilites. Chair: It shall be the responsibility of the FDC chair to develop and distribute agendas for each meeting, with the input of committee members. The FDC Chair, or the designee of the Chair, shall be responsible for reports to the Senate and Dean’s Office. Associate Dean: The Associate Dean acts as a liaison to the Office of the Dean and implements recommendations as appropriate at this level. The Associate Dean is responsible for the scheduling, announcing and coordinating of activities sponsored by the FDC at the College level, including such activities as P&T workshops. Staffing and support for the activities of the FDC shall be provided by the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Members: Minutes will be taken on a rotating basis by committee members. All members shall contribute to the development of the agenda of the Committee and the activities undertaken by the committee.

 

2. COMMITTEE ON AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

The Senate approved the establishment of the Committee on Awards and Recognition as a Standing Senate Committee at its last meeting of the 2001-2002 term. The task of this Committee is to " promote and recognize faculty excellence in the following areas: teaching, research and service. The details of the committee’s composition and functioning will be entered into the By-Laws in the coming academic year. "